WNT 5, Ireland 0: Post-Match Quotes

WNTNov 29, 2012

U.S. WNT vs. Republic of Ireland
JELD-WNT Field; Portland, Oregon
Nov. 28, 2012
U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach JILL ELLISOn what the tour has been like so far:
“Long, but good. Now is the time we can try different things. There isn’t a lot of pressure on us. It was great playing the last couple of games against Germany. It’s just another couple of games for us to get some experience, play with each other and get ready for next year.”

On the value of games like these:
“Right now, it’s nothing too serious. We have a new coach starting with us next year, Tom Sermanni, so really this is all about touring around the country with our fans, celebrating, enjoying it and playing freely. Lots of people are getting playing time, which is good since usually with pressure situations, the starting 11 plays the majority of the time. It’s an opportunity for others to get some playing time.”

On when the next pressure situation comes:
“I would say our first camp (under Sermanni). Everyone will be there to prove themselves to Tom and it’s almost like you’re starting all over again. We haven’t gotten our schedule for next year yet, but it looks like most of January will be off. We’ll resume at the end of January or beginning of February, and get going. Then it’s all about the next World Cup.”

U.S. Women’s National Team Forward ALEX MORGANOn the match and what the tour has been like:
“Overall, it’s been successful and we’re trying to give back to the fans. I think a 5-0 win is good and obviously we want to keep that going. We still have a few more games to go on the victory tour. Tonight I was feeling it, feeling comfortable with the ball and was taking shots because of the slick surface. It kept going our way and Abby kept saying ‘keep shooting, keep shooting.”

On the new pro league:
“I’m looking forward to playing in the United States and helping the development of women’s soccer and the youth game. Obviously, it would be great to stay on the West coast for me, for my family, but we’ll see what happens in the coming months.”

On being nominated for the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year:
“It was actually a little bit of a surprise for me, there were four of us nominated from the U.S., which is a huge honor. All the other girls definitely deserve it. This year has been great for a lot of us. The team success has created success for us all individually, as well. I’m honored to be nominated for it.”

U.S. Women’s National Team Midfielder MEGAN RAPINOEOn the match:
“It was good. Always good to win and put some goals away. Alex and Sydney kind of hogged them all tonight. I’ll have to talk to them about that later, but it’s always good to be back in [Portland]. We had beautiful weather and great crowd.”

On the team’s performance:
“It’s a bit of a weird period for us right now. We’ve had a lot of time off, we’re kind of on and off again with these games. I think we came out and put a good show on and scored a bunch of goals and that’s always fun. We started a little bit slow but picked up the tempo and our movement.”

On how these games impact how the new coach will view the player pool:
“I think he knows the situation that we’re not training full on right now. I think he’s going to come observe in the final three games, so it’d be good to meet him. We’re thinking January and we’ll start fresh.”

On possibly playing in Portland in the new league:
“I’d love to end up in Portland. I have a place here now. I think playing some games at the University of Portland would be great. It’s the perfect venue. It’s a little bit smaller than JELD-WEN but a great pitch with a nice atmosphere.”